Never give up there is hope in the horizon: There is no 'IF' with God, only 'WHEN.'

"There is no if with God only when" those were the words my mentor said to encourage me when I had given up on any chance of going to the UK for my masters.

In 2013 my mum called and asked me to apply to the UK or any school overseas for my masters that she was prepared to pay. She said this when she had received some money she thought she had lost when a bank went into bankruptcy. And that I did. However, when the time came to pay the fees, my mum told me she had used the money for something else.

As is with most universities overseas, the requirement was that I had to have the fees and some money in the bank for one month as evidence that I could support myself. We had the fees, but not the extra required for the bank. My parents' business was such that if they took out the amount required, it would affect the business for a while. But my parents had some landed properties that they were willing to sell to raise the money. But I told God I did not want my parents to sell any of their properties to send me to school.

So the more I tossed and turned and prayed at night for God to come through, it was as though God was not answering my prayers. And then I gave up; yes, I did because I couldn't pay the fees unless I were sure we had the additional money, and that was not forthcoming. My parents had to ask my uncles for help, but only a few responded, even that was not enough. In my state of despair, thinking my dreams of studying in the UK was over, one of my mentors called me and while I was telling him my woes and how I can't go to the UK again except if God decides to do something. He stopped me mid-sentence and said there is no if; there is only a when with God. He told me that I would go to the UK for my master's programme when God comes through. He prayed with me, and my faith was renewed. So I kept on praying and trusting God for a miracle.

When it was almost the deadline to accept the offer of admission or lose it, the miracle did come through, but not as I wanted or expected. My parents decided to sell one of their properties and the way God did this the buyer was a family friend and the amount they agreed to was the exact amount I needed. When the money was paid, I immediately accepted the offer. But I was not happy that my parents sold their property. I went back to God and told Him this was not the agreement. But anyhow, I am grateful I get to go for my masters.

Some days after the sale, the buyer asked for a refund as the property was not needed anymore. My parent informed them that the money had already been used and would be refunded within a month. With my parents business, they had to pay their suppliers upfront to get supplies, but somehow God worked through them, and they told my parents to take as many supplies they needed and pay later. So not only did God provide the money, according to my prayers, my parents did not technically sell any property as within a month due to the favour they had with their business they paid the buyer back their money and got the property back.

Sometimes the answers to our prayers may not come as we expected or the way we want them to, but God does answer prayers. He always comes through. This is to encourage you never to give up. Keep hope alive and trust God's timing.